Assisted-motion systems and methods

ABSTRACT

A system for assisting the linear opening and closing movement of a pull-out component relative to a housing includes a first bracket coupled to a slide member of the housing, a second bracket coupled to the pull-out component, and a strut that, at one end, is pivotally coupled to the first bracket and, at a second end, is pivotally coupled to the second bracket. The strut includes an elongate hollow member that houses a spring and a cylindrical piston, as well as a rod sub-assembly that translates through one end of the hollow member. The cylindrical piston is situated between, and at its respective ends is coupled to, the spring and the rod sub-assembly. The free end of the spring is held inside the hollow member by a clevis for the first bracket, and the free end of the rod sub-assembly includes a clevis for the second bracket.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application claims priority from Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/171,395, filed Apr. 21, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of the present invention relate generally to drawer systems and, more specifically, to systems and methods for assisting the opening and closing action of drawers and similar pull-out components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The conventional slide system includes a drawer member and a cabinet member, and may also include an intermediate member. The slide system facilitates the opening and closing of a drawer in a cabinet. Typically, the slide system is mounted between a side of a drawer and a sidewall of a cabinet, with the drawer member affixed to the drawer, and the cabinet member affixed to the cabinet.

The conventional slide system may also include a self-closing mechanism. A typical self-closing mechanism includes a slide component slidably mounted on the cabinet member of the slide system and spring biased in the closing direction, and an engagement component fixedly mounted on the drawer member of the slide system. When the drawer is in the closed position, the engagement component is fully engaged with the slide component. As the drawer is pulled open, the engagement component pulls the slide component in the opening direction of the drawer against the spring force. When the slide component reaches a certain point, it locks into position and releases the engagement component. The slide component remains in the locked position until it is released by the engagement component when the drawer is pushed back to a closed position. Once it is released, the spring biased slide component, now back in full engagement with the engagement component, pulls the engagement component in the closing direction of the drawer, thereby pulling the drawer to a closed position.

Such self-closing mechanisms, however, provide assistance only in the closing direction of the drawer. As such, movement of the drawer in the opening direction is completely unassisted. In addition, even in the closing direction, the typical self-closing mechanism provides assistance only in the latter portion of the drawer's travel, when the drawer has already been pushed inwards most of the way. There is therefore a need for systems that provide assistance in both the opening and closing directions of the drawer and, preferably, along a larger portion of the drawer's travel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are rear perspective views in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is front view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a strut in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows the internal components of the strut shown in FIG. 3 in a closed position.

FIG. 5 shows the strut of FIG. 4 in an open position.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a strut in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the rod sub-assembly shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the rod tail shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8B is the perspective view shown in FIG. 8A, rotated about the rod tail's longitudinal axis by 90°.

FIG. 8C is a plan view of the rod tail shown in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8D is the plan view shown in FIG. 8C, rotated about the rod tail's longitudinal axis by 90°.

FIG. 8E is an end view along the line I-I of FIG. 8D.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the piston shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9B is a plan view of the piston shown in FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9C is the plan view shown in FIG. 9B, rotated about the piston's longitudinal axis by 90°.

FIG. 9D is an end view along the line II-II of FIG. 9C.

FIGS. 10A-10D show perspective views of a cabinet bracket clevis in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10E is a side plan view of the cabinet bracket clevis shown in FIGS. 10A-10D.

FIG. 10F is a rear plan view of the cabinet bracket clevis shown in FIGS. 10A-10D.

FIG. 10G is a top plan view of the cabinet bracket clevis shown in FIGS. 10A-10D.

FIGS. 11A-11B show perspective views of a locking clip in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11C is an end view of the locking clip shown in FIGS. 11A-11B.

FIG. 11D is a side plan view of the locking clip shown in FIGS. 11A-11B.

FIG. 11E is a top plan view of the locking clip shown in FIGS. 11A-11B.

FIGS. 12A-12C show perspective views of a tube cap in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12D is a top plan view of the tube cap shown in FIGS. 12A-12C.

FIG. 12E is a side plan view of the tube cap shown in FIGS. 12A-12C.

FIG. 12F is the side plan view shown in FIG. 12E, rotated about the tube cap's longitudinal axis by 90°.

FIG. 13 shows a cabinet member bracket in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14A shows a perspective view of the cabinet member bracket shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 14B is a top plan view of the cabinet member bracket shown in FIG. 14A.

FIG. 14C is a front plan view of the cabinet member bracket shown in FIG. 14A.

FIG. 14D is a side plan view of the cabinet member bracket shown in FIG. 14A.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a drawer bracket in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is another perspective view of the drawer bracket shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a plan view in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a strut in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is an exploded view of the strut shown in FIG. 18.

FIGS. 20A-20C show various views of a cabinet member and associated cabinet member bracket in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a bottom perspective view of a drawer system with the cabinet member and cabinet member bracket of FIGS. 20A-20C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems (and associated methods) that are economical to manufacture, simple to install, remove, adjust, and re-install, easy to customize, and easy to operate for assisting the linear opening and closing motion of drawers and other pull-out components.

It is noted that, in the ensuing description, reference is made to a “drawer” and, more specifically, to a cabinet drawer. However, this is for illustrative purposes only, and not by way of restriction or limitation, and the principles of the inventions described herein may be applied to other pull-out components and/or systems that include one or more pull-out components, such as, for example, office furniture, home furniture, kitchen appliances, general cabinetry (e.g., kitchen, garage, storage, etc.), tool boxes, automotive applications, shelves and shelf systems, etc. In addition, while certain components are described as being coupled to, or engageable with, a cabinet member and others are described as being coupled to, or engageable with, a drawer member, it is understood that, in embodiments of the invention, such coupling and/or engagement may be interchangeable between the cabinet and drawer members. Similarly, where a component is described as being coupled to, or engageable with, one side of a drawer or cabinet, it is understood that, in embodiments of the invention, the component may be coupled to, or engageable with, the opposite side of the drawer/cabinet. In further embodiments, one such component may be coupled to, or engageable with, each side of the drawer/cabinet. It is also noted that descriptors such as “left side” and “right side” are used herein for ease of reference only, and do not restrict the structure, means for manufacturing, or operation of, or otherwise limit, embodiments of the invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, embodiments of the invention are directed to a system in which a drawer 10 moves linearly back and forth, usually within a body, such as, e.g., a cabinet, using slides. For purposes of the instant description, only one outer member (i.e., cabinet member) 20 is shown on the right side of the cabinet, viewed from the perspective of the front face 12 of the drawer shown in FIG. 2. It is to be understood, of course, that, on each of its right and left sides, the drawer 10 may be coupled to a respective cabinet member via a drawer member (e.g., inner, or drawer, member 16 shown in FIG. 1B) attached to a respective sidewall of the drawer, or via a combination of a drawer member 16 and an intermediate member 17 that slides between the drawer and cabinet members. In addition, while the diagrams show an illustrative cabinet member 20 that may be described as having a substantially “C” shaped cross-section, this is by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. Thus, the principles of the inventions herein may be applied to drawer systems with outer members having various other cross-sectional configurations, such as, e.g., a generally “L” shaped configuration, or a generally asymmetrical “C” shaped configuration, wherein the two parallel portions of the “C” are of different lengths, etc. Of course, it is understood that, depending on the configuration of the cabinet member, suitable intermediate and/or drawer members will be utilized that mate operably with the specific cabinet-member configuration.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, the linear opening (i.e., outwards) and closing (i.e., inwards) motion of the drawer 10 is assisted by a strut 100 that, at one end, may be coupled to the cabinet member 20 via a cabinet member bracket 200 and, at an opposite end, may be coupled to the back (vertical) panel 14 of the drawer 10 via a drawer bracket 300. In embodiments where the pull-out component is a shelf or similar component without a full-height back panel—such as panel 14—the bracket 300 may be coupled to the shelf by coupling either directly onto the rear of the shelf, if the shelf has sufficient thickness proximate its rear end, and/or to the undersurface of the shelf proximate its rear end.

As shown in FIGS. 3-6, the strut 100 includes a tube 102 which, at a first end 103, is detachably coupled to a cabinet bracket clevis 160 and, at a second, opposite end 105, is detachably coupled to a tube cap 110. A rod sub-assembly 119 is configured to translate inwards and outwards through the tube's second end 105 in response to the force exerted by a spring 190.

The rod sub-assembly 119 includes a stem 120 which, in embodiments of the invention, may be tubular throughout its length. See, e.g., FIG. 7. In alternative embodiments, the stem 120 may be solid and/or may have various cross-sectional geometries. In either case, proximate each of its ends 122, 124, the stem 120 still provides a “receptacle” for matingly receiving respective ends of a drawer bracket clevis 130 and a rod tail 140.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the drawer bracket clevis 130 has a generally U-shaped coupling portion 136 which sits on a transverse flange 133. The flange 133, in turn, is disposed proximate an end of a press-fit member 132. The press-fit member 132 is configured to be inserted into and matingly fit within the afore-mentioned receptacle at an end 124 of the stem 120. Similarly, the rod tail 140 may have a solid longitudinal portion 141 which, in an embodiment of the invention, may have a “+” shaped cross-sectional configuration. See, e.g., FIGS. 7-8. Proximate one end, the rod tail 140 includes a transverse flange 143 which, in turn, is disposed proximate an end of a press-fit member 142. The press-fit member 142 is configured to be inserted into and matingly fit within the afore-mentioned receptacle at an end 122 of the stem 120.

Thus, where the receptacles at the ends 122, 124 of the stem 120 have a circular cross-section, the press-fit members 132, 142 may be generally conical, so as to be matingly received by, and held within, the respective receptacle at the ends of the stem 120. Other geometries are also possible, as long as the press-fit members can be press fit into and held by the stem's ends. Of course, regardless of the specific geometry, in embodiments where the stem may be solid through most of its length, the receptacle proximate each of its ends must still have sufficient longitudinal depth to receive and hold the entire length of the press-fit member (i.e., up to the flange 133, 143).

At its opposite end, the rod tail 140 includes an anchor 146 having a first clip member 147 and a second clip member 148. In embodiments of the invention, the members 147, 148 may be made of elastic and/or resilient material so as to be able to flex towards the longitudinal portion 141. With reference to FIGS. 6, 8, and 9, the anchor 146 serves to secure the rod sub-assembly 119 to a piston 150. More specifically, in the embodiments shown, the longitudinal portion 141 of the rod tail 140 has a “+” shaped cross-sectional configuration, and the clip members 147, 148 are disposed opposite one another around the periphery of the longitudinal portion 141. In such an embodiment, a “+” shaped cross section is advantageous as it provides for reduced mass material (and, therefore, reduced manufacturing costs) as well as simplified molding of the rod tail 140. Nevertheless, in embodiments of the invention, the rod tail may have any other cross-sectional configuration, such as, e.g., circular, and the anchor 146 may include one or more clip members for securing the rod sub-assembly 119 to the piston 150. Where multiple clip members are used, they may be disposed around the periphery of the longitudinal portion 141 of the rod tail in regular intervals. Moreover, in embodiments of the invention, the rod sub-assembly 119 may be manufactured as a unitary component. Alternatively, any two of the rod sub-assembly sub-components, i.e., the stem 120, the drawer bracket clevis 130, and the rod tail 140, may be made as a single integral unit, and then assembled with the remaining sub-component.

In embodiments of the invention, the piston 150 is generally tubular, having a circular cross-section and a first longitudinal portion 151 that has a relatively larger diameter than a second longitudinal portion 153. The transition between the first portion 151 and the second portion 152 defines a ledge 156 upon which rests one end of the spring 190. See, e.g., FIGS. 4 and 5. As shown in FIGS. 9A-9C, the first portion 151 of the piston 150 includes a first end 152, and the second portion 153 includes a second end 154, of the piston 150. To accommodate the clip members 147, 148 of the rod tail 140, the piston also includes respective first and second slots 157, 158 than run longitudinally through the wall of the piston 150, spaced 180° apart from one another. Thus, during operation, the end 152 of the piston 150 may generally rest on a side of the flange 143 of the rod tail 140.

As noted, the instant description is provided by way of illustrative example, rather than limitation. In the illustrative example, the spring 190 is a compression spring, although various types of springs may be used in embodiments of the invention. As noted previously, one end of the spring 190 may be in contact with the ledge 156 of the piston 150. With reference to FIGS. 6 and 10-12, in embodiments of the invention, the opposite end of the spring 190 is in contact with a cabinet bracket clevis 160.

More specifically, the cabinet bracket clevis 160 includes a spine 162 that is relatively flat on a first side 161 and, on a second opposite side, is integral with a coupling member 164. The spine 162 is also integral with two extension arms 163, 165, each of which extends substantially perpendicularly to the spine 162 and includes a respective longitudinal slot 166, 168. At its base, the longitudinal slot 166 includes an aperture 167. Similarly, the longitudinal slot 168 includes an aperture 169 at its base.

As shown in FIG. 6, proximate its end 103, the tube 102 includes two radially opposite (i.e., spaced apart 180° from each other), transverse apertures 104. Similarly, proximate its end 105, the tube 102 includes two radially opposite, transverse apertures 106. When assembled, the cabinet bracket clevis 160 is placed on the end 103 of tube 102, with one of the apertures 104 being aligned with the aperture 167 of slot 166, the other aperture 104 being aligned with the aperture 169 of slot 168, and an end of the spring 190 resting on the first side 161.

In embodiments of the invention, the cabinet bracket clevis 160 and the tube 102 are held together via a locking clip 170. See FIGS. 4-6 and 11. At one end, the locking clip 170 has a generally U-shaped brace 177 that is configured to contact the periphery of the tube 102. At the end of each of the vertical sections of the “U”, the clip 170 includes an extension 173, 174, which help detachably secure the clip to the tube. At an end opposite the brace 177, the clip 170 includes transverse protrusions 171, 172 which, upon coupling of the clip to the tube 102, are received in respective ones of the apertures 167, 169 of the cabinet bracket clevis 160, as well as in respective ones of the apertures 104.

On an opposite end 105 of the tube 102, the rod sub-assembly 119 and the spring 190 are maintained within the tube by the combination of a tube cap 110 and a second locking clip 170. As shown in FIGS. 12A-12F, the tube cap 110 is generally in the shape of a circular ring, defining therethrough an orifice 111. On radially opposite sides, the tube cap 110 includes a first extension arm 112 having a longitudinal slot 113, and a second extension arm 114 having a longitudinal slot 115. The longitudinal slot 113, in turn, has an aperture 116 at its base. Similarly, the longitudinal slot 115 has an aperture 117 at its base. Thus, when assembled, the tube cap 110 is placed on the end 105 of tube 102, with one of the apertures 106 being aligned with the aperture 116 of slot 113, the other aperture 106 being aligned with the aperture 117 of the slot 115, and the coupling member 136 of the drawer bracket clevis 130 protruding through the orifice 111.

In addition, as described above in connection with the end 103 of the tube 102, a locking clip 170 is coupled to the tube 102 such that a first transverse protrusion 171 is received in the aperture 116 of slot 113 and in one of the apertures 106, and the second protrusion 172 is received in the aperture 117 of slot 115 and in the other one of the apertures 106. It is noted that, in embodiments of the invention, pins—such as, e.g., dowel pins—may be used to couple the tube cap 110 to the tube 102 through the orifice(s) 106, and the cabinet bracket clevis 160 to the tube 102 through the orifice(s) 104, thereby obviating the need for the locking clips 170. Thus, while fewer components would need to be manufactured, the assembly process may be more labor intensive. In addition, when the locking clips 170 are used, the strut 100 may be disassembled more quickly and more easily when needed, including for repair and/or replacement of components, such as, e.g., a failed spring, in the field.

An embodiment of the cabinet member bracket 200 is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14A-14D. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cabinet member bracket 200 is a generally “C” shaped member having a vertical spine 210, an upper horizontal surface 215, and a lower horizontal surface 220. Extending vertically upwards from the lower horizontal surface 220 are clevis pin 230 and vertical tabs (or fingers) 232, 234. In embodiments of the invention, the clevis pin 230 may be, e.g., riveted to the surface 220, and the bracket 200 may be, e.g., spot-welded (or otherwise coupled) to the cabinet member 20.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show the drawer bracket 300. In the embodiment shown in these figures, the drawer bracket 300 has a vertical section 315 that is integral with a horizontal section 305 to form a substantially “L” shaped member. The vertical section 315 may include one or more transverse attachment holes 320 for coupling the drawer bracket 300 to the drawer 10. In addition, a clevis pin 310 extends vertically downwards from an underside of the horizontal section 305. As with the clevis pin 230, clevis pin 310 may be, e.g., riveted to the horizontal section 305 of the bracket 300.

As noted previously, in embodiments where the pull-out component is a shelf or similar component without a full-height back panel—such as panel 14 of drawer 10—the bracket 300 may be coupled to the shelf by coupling either directly onto the rear of the shelf, if the shelf has sufficient thickness proximate its rear end, and/or to the undersurface of the shelf proximate its rear end. In these, and other similar instances, the vertical section 315 of the bracket 300 may be modified—e.g., some, or all, of the vertical section 315 may be rotated counterclockwise by 90° so as to be parallel to, or coplanar with, the horizontal section 305—or even eliminated altogether, as warranted by the characteristics of the shelf. In the latter case, where the vertical section 315 is eliminated, the horizontal section 305 may include one or more transverse attachment holes for coupling the bracket 300 to, e.g., an undersurface of the shelf.

With reference to FIGS. 1-5, in an embodiment of the invention, a drawer bracket 300 is coupled to the vertical panel 14 at the backside of the drawer 10 using screws or other fastening means in combination with the attachment holes 320. FIG. 17 shows a plan view of a strut 100 that may be detachably coupled to a drawer bracket 300 and a cabinet member bracket 200.

A cabinet member bracket 200 is welded onto, or otherwise coupled to, the cabinet member 20 at approximately the longitudinal midpoint of the slide travel which, in embodiments of the invention, corresponds to the longitudinal midpoint of the drawer travel. With the brackets 200, 300 in place, the strut 100 may be coupled between the two brackets in order to urge the drawer towards both the open and closed directions. Specifically, on one side, the strut 100 is connected by engaging the coupling member 164 of the cabinet bracket clevis 160 to the clevis pin 230 of the cabinet member bracket 200. On the opposite side, the strut 100 is connected by engaging the coupling member 136 of the rod-subassembly 119 to the clevis pin 310 of the drawer bracket 300.

In operation, the strut 100 serves to apply a limited force to the drawer 10 to urge it to open, when it is partially open, or to close, when partially closed. Specifically, as the drawer is pulled out, the angle of the strut 100 relative to the line of motion (or travel) changes from about −40° to about +40°. The longitudinal component of the force applied by the spring 190—and, therefore, through the strut 100—either resists or assists the motion of the drawer 10, while the crosswise component of the force is countered by reaction of the slides.

As noted before, in order to maximize the stroke length of the system, the cabinet member bracket 200 is mounted about mid-stroke, resulting in about 40% of the stroke resisting, and about 40% of the stroke assisting, the motion of the drawer 10. In the middle of the stroke, i.e., in a region around “dead center”, where the strut is essentially perpendicular to the cabinet member 20, the crosswise force is at a maximum, as the spring 190 is maximally compressed. Therefore, in this middle portion, comprising about 20% of the entire stroke, slide movement effort is minimal as there is essentially no longitudinal force component and, as such, no motion-assist in either direction.

Thus, starting from a closed position, as the drawer 10 is pulled open, the longitudinal component of the spring force resists the drawer's outward motion, until the above-mentioned middle portion is reached. As the drawer continues to be pulled open through the middle portion, the outward motion of the drawer is essentially unaffected by the strut. However, once the end of the middle portion—i.e., about 60% of travel—is reached, the spring's expansion assists the outward motion of the drawer until the drawer has reached the fully open position.

Similarly, from the fully open position, as the drawer is pushed inwards toward the closed position, the spring resists the drawer's motion as it is compressed. The resistance then ceases through the middle portion of travel. Once again, at about 60% of (inward) travel, the spring's expansion assists the inward motion of the drawer until the drawer has reached the fully closed position.

In the embodiments shown in the figures, the coupling members 136 and 164 are held together by molded clip-locks that basically provide for snap-on connection to the respective clevis pins 310, 230. As such, an important advantage of aspects of the invention is that the strut 100 may be detached or taken apart and reassembled very quickly without the need for hand tools.

Similarly, an end user can disconnect and remove the drawer without the need to reach behind the drawer and disconnect the strut. The resilient spring action of the coupling member 136 will frictionally release from the drawer bracket clevis pin 310 as the drawer members 16 are disconnected from the intermediate members 17 and/or the cabinet members 20 and the drawer 10 is pulled and removed from the cabinet structure. Thus, the ability to easily disconnect the strut and remove the drawer may be realized when the drawer members are disconnectable from the intermediate and/or cabinet members.

An additional advantage of embodiments of the invention is the potential to “dial” in spring forces for specific (OEM) type applications. That is, a custom spring could be specified, with a higher (or lower) spring rate based the specific needs of the user and the system's intended application.

A further advantage of embodiments of the invention is provided through the rod-subassembly 119. More specifically, at the end of stroke, i.e., with the spring 190 fully extended, and the drawer 10 in the fully open position, the clip members 147, 148 are able to travel outwards (i.e., in the extension direction) through the respective slots 157, 158 for an additional distance, which provides an un-assisted extension at the end of stroke. In embodiments of the invention, this feature may allow about one inch of extension from the piston when it reaches the end of stroke. This, in turn, may correspond to, e.g., about 1.5″ of un-assisted travel for the drawer 10, assisting the connection of the clevis to the clevis pin 310. This feature is useful for disconnecting and reconnecting the drawer to the strut, especially within a vertical bank of drawers, with limited access to the back of the drawer boxes. The clevis pin on the drawer bracket may be offset to the rear to improve visibility, aiding the connecting activity.

In this regard, it is also noted that the fingers 232, 234 of the cabinet member bracket 200 serve to prevent the strut 100 from becoming oriented too close to parallel, relative to the cabinet member 20, when the drawer 10 is removed. Thus, fingers 232, 234 may be used to prevent damage to the strut 100 when the drawer 10 is reinserted, as the strut may be contacted by the lower portion and/or corner of the drawer. In short, the fingers 232, 234 restrict the strut from moving into an unfavorable position for/during reinsertion of the drawer.

It is important to note that embodiments of the invention may be used in association with standard slides ranging from, e.g., 12 to 28 inches in length. Various strut sizes may be provided in order to cover the range of strokes for the above-mentioned lengths, while fitting in specific narrow drawers. As noted above in connection with FIG. 17, drawer width limitations as related to drawer slide length are predicated on the available cross space when the strut rotates into the middle zone of action, during either the opening or the closing motion.

Various components described herein may be “standard”, or common, regardless of the strut size (length) that is used. For example, both locking clips 170, the clevis pins 230, 310, the tube cap 110, and the rod tail 140 may be used interchangeably among various struts. In addition, the spring coil diameter, wire diameter, and pitch may be common to the various strut sizes, with only the free length varying accordingly. The spring is designed with substantial margin for its stroke, and a certain amount of adjustment for the open and closing assist force is possible by slightly varying the spring's free length.

With limitations on drawer widths, as previously mentioned, the length of travel or stroke may be greater than the width of the drawer. This condition places a high demand on the usable stroke of the spring, as it is desirable to provide maximum stroke, with minimal spring force. For this condition, minimal space is taken by the common components (mentioned above), to achieve the maximum assisted stroke within the aforementioned limited drawer width.

An illustrative example of an alternative embodiment including a dampening mechanism is shown in FIGS. 18 and 19. As shown, similar to the strut 100 (see, e.g., FIG. 6), the strut 1100 includes a tube 1102 having a first end 1103 and a second end 1105, and receiving therein a spring 1190 and rod sub-assembly (or carriage, as described more fully below) 1119. At its first end 1103, the tube 1102 is detachably coupled to a cabinet bracket clevis 1160 having a coupling member 1164 via a locking clip 1170; locking clip 1170, in turn, may be sized, e.g., made longer or shorter, depending on the specific strut that is used. At its second end 1105, the tube 1102 is detachably coupled to a tube cap 1110.

In contrast to the strut 100, however, the strut 1100 includes an integrated damping mechanism (or damper) 1140 which is configured to soften, or dampen, the end of the assisted motion of the drawer in both the opening and closing directions. Thus, in conjunction with the carriage 1119, the damper 1140 serves to enhance the operation of the systems described herein by substantially reducing or eliminating any “bounce-back” and/or noise that may exist at the end of the assisted motion in each of the opening and closing directions.

As with the embodiments described previously, the rod sub-assembly, or carriage 1119 includes a rod 1120, a drawer bracket clevis 1130, and a piston 1150. Moreover, the piston 1150 has a first longitudinal portion 1151 and a second longitudinal portion 1153 with a relatively smaller diameter than the first longitudinal portion 1151, with the transition between the first and second longitudinal portions defining a ledge 1156 upon which rests one end of the spring 1190. However, the carriage 1119 no longer includes a rod tail. Rather, proximate the free end of the first longitudinal portion 1151, the piston 1150 now includes a press-fit member 1158 that is received directly in a receptacle at one end of the rod 1120. At its opposite end, the rod 1120 receives a press-fit member 1132 of the drawer bracket clevis 1130.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the damper 1140 may be an air damper having a cylinder 1142 and a damper piston 1144 with approximately a 1″ stroke. The damper 1140 may be detachably secured to the piston 1150 by a clamping mechanism having two identical halves, or clamp shells, 1180 a, 1180 b. Each of the clamp shells 1180 a, 1180 b includes a first arcuate portion 1182, 1186 which, together, brace (a portion of) the periphery of the tube 1102, and a second arcuate portion 1183, 1187 which, together, brace (a portion of) the periphery of the damper 1140. Adjacent said first arcuate portion, each clamp shell includes a first extension 1181, 1185, and adjacent said second arcuate portion, each clamp shell includes a second extension 1184, 1188. As shown, the two clamp shells 1180 a, 1180 b may be held together by using, e.g., screws, rivets, etc. to couple together the first extensions 1181, 1185 and the second extensions 1184, 1188.

Each of the clamp shells includes a transverse pin that extends perpendicularly from an inner surface of the shell. Thus, for example, the clamp shell 1180 b includes a pin 1189 that extends perpendicularly from an inner surface of the first arcuate portion 1186; a similar pin, not shown, extends perpendicularly from the inner surface of the first arcuate portion 1182 of the clamp shell 1180 a.

To operationally couple the damper 1140 to the carriage 1119 and, therefore, the strut 1100, the tube 1102 includes respective first and second slots 1108, 1109 that run longitudinally through the wall of the tube, spaced 180° from one another. Similarly, the piston 1150 includes a first slot 1157 and second, opposing slot (not shown), that are also spaced 180° from one another and are aligned, respectively, with the longitudinal slots 1108, 1109. As shown, the transverse pin 1189 is received into a slot opposite slot 1157 of the piston 1150 through the longitudinal slot 1109 of the tube 1102. Similarly, the transverse pin of the clamp shell 1180 a (not shown) is received into the slot 1157 of the piston 1150 through the longitudinal slot 1108 of the tube 1102. With this construction, the damper 1140 translates back and forth along the tube 1102 in concert with the piston 1150.

As with previously-described embodiments, at its end 1105, the tube 1102 is coupled to a tube cap 1110 having a first extension arm 1112 (with a first tube-cap slot having an aperture therein) and an opposing second extension arm 1114 (with a second tube-cap slot and also having an aperture therein). Thus, when assembled, the tube cap 1110 is placed on the end 1105 of tube 1102, with one of the apertures 1106 of the tube 1102 being aligned with the aperture of the first tube-cap slot, the other aperture 1106 being aligned with the aperture of the second tube-cap slot, and the coupling member 1136 of the drawer bracket clevis 1130 protruding through the orifice 1111.

However, rather than being coupled to one another through a locking clip, the tube cap 1110 and the tube 1102 are coupled via tube cap pins 1107. In addition, the second extension arm 1114 now includes a transverse (with respect to the second extension arm) flange 1116. In operation, the flange 1116 is disposed such that it is on the same side of the tube 1102 as the damper 1140, and is oriented so as to serve as a contact point with an end 1145 of the damper piston 1144, thereby slowing the strut travel at each end (i.e., drawer opening and drawer closing) of the assisted motion (see FIG. 18).

Also, the generally U-shaped coupling member 1136 of the drawer bracket clevis 1130 is rotated, i.e., from an axial direction with respect to the strut, to a perpendicular direction, such that the assembly to the drawer clevis pin is in a rotational arc, swinging the strut assembly into position and snapping the coupling member 1136 to the drawer clevis pin from the side. This side directional connection helps eliminate inadvertent disengagement of the strut from the drawer at the end of the dampened travel. The structure of the coupling member 1136 of the drawer bracket clevis 1130, therefore, is quite similar to that of the coupling member 1164 of the cabinet bracket clevis 1160.

It is noted that, while an air damper 1140 is shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, this is by way of example, and not limitation. Thus, a fluid damper (oil filled, for example), or a rack and pinion (rotary damper) damping system, may also be used to perform the dampening function described herein.

While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. For example, in embodiments of the invention, a strut may be coupled to each side of a drawer system, in which case the width of the drawer must be greater than double the minimum length for each strut assembly, in order to ensure that the struts stay on the same plane while, at the same time, clearing each other when in the horizontal or middle zone. In alternative embodiments, the cabinet-member end of the strut may be mounted directly to the side wall of the cabinet, e.g., by screws or other attachment means. Additionally, or alternatively, the drawer end of the strut may be mounted, or otherwise coupled directly to, the underside or back side of the drawer. In such embodiments, the cabinet member bracket and/or the drawer bracket would be eliminated, thereby resulting in fewer components, but also a more permanent attachment than would be provided when releasable coupling members (e.g., coupling members 136, 164) are used.

In addition, the cabinet member bracket and/or the drawer bracket may be modified in accordance with the specific type of cabinet member and/or drawer. Thus, as noted previously, the principles of the inventions herein may be applied to drawer systems with outer members having various cross-sectional configurations, such as, e.g., a generally “L” shaped configuration, or a generally asymmetrical “C” shaped configuration, wherein the two parallel portions of the “C” are of different lengths, etc.

FIGS. 20-21, for example, show an embodiment in which the outer (or cabinet) member 2000 is substantially “L” shaped. Here, the cabinet member bracket 1200 includes a clevis pin 1230, and may include vertical tabs (or fingers) 1232, 1234, extending vertically upwards from a single horizontal surface 1220. In embodiments of the invention, the clevis pin 1230 may be, e.g., riveted to the surface 1220. In addition, the bracket 1200 may be, e.g., snapped into cut-out sections 2010 of the lower horizontal portion 2005 of the cabinet member 2000, or riveted, welded, or otherwise coupled to the cabinet member 2000. Thus, in FIG. 21, the strut 1100 having a damper 1140 is coupled between a drawer bracket 1300 and a cabinet member bracket 1200, the former being coupled to a drawer 10 and the latter being coupled to (an underside of) the cabinet member 2000.

It is understood that one or more of the components described herein in connection with a specific embodiment may be used in conjunction with one or more of the components described in connection with a different specific embodiment. 

1. A system for assisting the opening and closing movement of a pull-out component relative to a housing, said housing having a slide member coupled to an interior wall thereof, and said pull-out component being linearly slidable into and out of said housing, the system comprising: a first bracket coupled to said slide member of the housing; a second bracket coupled proximate a rear end of said pull-out component; and a strut having a first end coupled to the first bracket and an opposing second end coupled to the second bracket, said strut comprising: a straight hollow member having opposing first and second ends; a spring having opposing first and second ends and being housed within said straight hollow member; a cylindrical piston having first and second longitudinal portions, wherein the second longitudinal portion extends axially through the spring's second end and the first longitudinal portion extends axially outside of the spring's second end, said first longitudinal portion having a larger diameter than said second longitudinal portion; and a rod sub-assembly that is coupled to said piston and translates axially through said second end of the straight hollow member.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first bracket includes a lower horizontal surface and a clevis pin extending vertically upwards from said lower horizontal surface.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein said housing is a cabinet, and said slide member is a cabinet slide member.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the strut further includes a cabinet bracket clevis, said cabinet bracket clevis being coupled to said first end of the straight hollow member and being configured to pivotally engage said clevis pin.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the cabinet bracket clevis detachably engages the clevis pin.
 6. The system of claim 4, wherein the cabinet bracket clevis includes a substantially C-shaped coupling member and the first bracket's clevis pin is configured to snap into said cabinet bracket clevis.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the coupling member is configured to pivot about the clevis pin during linear opening and closing movement of the pull-out component.
 8. The system of claim 6, wherein, opposite said coupling member, the cabinet bracket clevis has a substantially flat portion, and wherein said first end of the compression spring is disposed on said flat portion of the cabinet bracket clevis.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the cabinet bracket clevis is detachably coupled to said straight hollow member via a first locking clip.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein said first locking clip has a U-shaped brace that is configured to contact the periphery of the straight hollow member.
 11. The system of claim 8, wherein the first bracket's lower horizontal surface is configured to be coupled to the cabinet slide member.
 12. The system of claim 8, wherein the first bracket further includes an upper horizontal surface and a vertical spine connecting said lower and upper horizontal surfaces, said upper horizontal surface being configured to be coupled to said cabinet slide member.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the spring is a compression spring.
 14. The system of claim 1, wherein the second bracket includes a horizontal section, a vertical section, and a clevis pin extending vertically downwards from an undersurface of said horizontal section.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the vertical section includes transverse attachment holes for coupling the second bracket to the rear end of the pull-out component.
 16. The system of claim 1, wherein said rod sub-assembly includes an elongate stem, with a rod tail at a first end thereof and a pull-out component bracket clevis at a second end thereof.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the rod sub-assembly is a unitary component.
 18. The system of claim 16, wherein: the pull-out component is a drawer having a rear panel at its rear end; the stem has a first axial receptacle proximate its first end and a second axial receptacle proximate its second end; the rod tail is matingly received within said first receptacle; and the drawer bracket clevis is matingly received within said second receptacle.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the drawer bracket clevis includes a press-fit member that is received within said second receptacle, and a coupling portion that is oriented away from the stem's second end.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein: the second bracket includes a horizontal section, a vertical section that is configured to be attached to the drawer's rear panel, and a clevis pin extending vertically downwards from an undersurface of the horizontal section; and the coupling portion of the drawer bracket clevis detachably engages the second bracket's clevis pin.
 21. The system of claim 19, wherein the coupling portion of the drawer bracket clevis is substantially U-shaped and the second bracket's clevis pin is configured to snap into said drawer bracket clevis.
 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the coupling portion of the drawer bracket clevis is configured to pivot about the second bracket's clevis pin during linear opening and closing movement of the drawer.
 23. The system of claim 18, wherein the rod tail is coupled to the piston.
 24. The system of claim 23, wherein the rod tail includes a press-fit member that is received in said first receptacle and an anchor that is configured to secure the rod tail to the piston.
 25. The system of claim 24, wherein the anchor includes a clip member, and the piston includes a longitudinal slot through a length of the periphery thereof to slidably receive said clip member.
 26. The system of claim 25, further including a longitudinal portion between the press fit member and the anchor, wherein the clip member is made of flexible material so as to be capable of flexing towards said longitudinal portion.
 27. The system of claim 16, further including a cap, said cap having an axial orifice and being coupled to said second end of the straight hollow member.
 28. The system of claim 27, wherein said stem of the rod sub-assembly is configured to translate through said axial orifice along the majority of the length thereof.
 29. The system of claim 27, wherein the cap is detachably coupled to said straight hollow member via a second locking clip.
 30. The system of claim 1, wherein the first bracket is coupled to the slide member of the housing so as to be positioned thereon at approximately the longitudinal midpoint of the pull-out component travel.
 31. The system of claim 1, wherein the strut is oriented such that, when the pull-out component is in a middle region of travel, the strut is substantially perpendicular to the slide member of the housing.
 32. The system of claim 1, wherein the second bracket includes a horizontal section and a clevis pin extending vertically downwards from an undersurface of said horizontal section.
 33. The system of claim 32, wherein the second bracket's horizontal section includes transverse attachment holes for coupling the second bracket to an undersurface of the pull-out component.
 34. The system of claim 33, wherein said rod sub-assembly includes an elongate stem, with a rod tail at a first end thereof and a pull-out component bracket clevis at a second end thereof, said pull-out component bracket clevis including a coupling portion that is oriented away from the stem's second end and detachably engages the second bracket's clevis pin.
 35. The system of claim 34, wherein the coupling portion of the pull-out component bracket clevis is configured to pivot about the second bracket's clevis pin during linear opening and closing movement of the pull-out component.
 36. The system of claim 35, wherein the first bracket is coupled to the slide member of the housing so as to be positioned thereon at approximately the longitudinal midpoint of the pull-out component travel. 